Braw but a surfeit of crust
30th January 2025
(Above) The eastern end of the Carn Liath massif illuminated by morning light. Just for a change, the snow cover shown in the photo doesn’t flatter to deceive!
(Above) Coire Dubh’s SE-facing aspects this morning. There’d been some snowfall overnight and fairly persistent though light drifting which extended into the day. As a consequence, there were a few small soft cornices some of which collapsed very early in the morning. Unsurprisingly, there was also some soft windslab tucked into those high lee slopes beneath the cornice line – not deep or extensive – but weak and prone to minor cracking. Sunshine throughout the day induced a little consolidation in this new ‘slab by the end of the day.
(Above) The jewel in the crown. The Post Face of Coire Ardair under a mantle of (crusty!) snow.
(Above) The Post Face. Left to right: South Post, Centre Post and North Post. Centre Post was soloed today – lone climber visible bottom centre of shot.
(Above) L to R: Bellevue Buttress, Raeburn’s Gully, Pinnacle Buttress, Easy Gully and part of the Post Face.
(Above) The approach to the Inner Coire of Coire Ardair, with The Window prominent in the centre of the shot. Tiring getting into the Inner Coire today unless following in someone else’s footsteps. Widespread breakable crust, though a little more supportive in a few places at higher altitudes.
(Above) The NNE-facing crags of the Inner Coire. Very cold in these heavily shaded areas.
(Above) Looking out of the Inner Coire towards Lochan a Choire and Coire nan Gamhna. Great-looking cover…just a tad crusty on steep ground pretty much everywhere.
(Above) Coire a Chriochairein looking great under cobalt skies. Tempted to dust off the touring skis? Skis not recommended for anything other than pure access at the moment. If you must, bring your rattiest skis/skins.
Some limited snowfall in the forecast overnight. Expecting to see some new windslab on NW to NE aspects above 950m though this should start to consolidate by the end of the day as temperatures ease. The recent buried weak layers – prevalent under deeper old windslab – are being bridged over by denser, strengthening snow at the moment. The weak layers should begin to dissipate, and the dense overbruden strengthen further, with the onset of less cold temperatures forecast for later on Friday.
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Dan
30th January 2025 10:03 pm
Soloing up central post ooooft that must have been a slog! Great day out on a busy East Ridge BC!